Phantomsmelody1970: Now that is funny! (At the moment, I'm writing on my stomach and Ducky's head is on my left foot and her body is streched on my right leg! Oh, is she an adorable, little, pest!) It's ok, this week it may be a little slow. But next week, I have several hours free because this neighbor pays me $10 an hour to watch her dogs sit it the sun. She lets me bring my laptop and I go over five times next week. So I'll have lots of days to update, and not to mention Saturday's and Sundays. But due to rehersals and house chores, it may be later in the day.

Katdancer: I'm glad. Ducky is exactly like that. She's solid white and always looks like she's stuck her nose in an electric socket! She's got a pink nose and it's always dirty!

Availre: Thank you very much, I'm glad you're enjoying this one. And that's ok, I don't watch the Bachelor or the Bachelorette. Other than the primetime in no time recaps on Yahoo.

Trrmo77: Thank you. That's another section of Tina that does resemble the author.


Chapter four

"beautiful! Marvelous! How can I ever pay you back Tina?"

"don't even think about it!" she said. "I'm flattered that you chose me for this! It's an honor!"

"what's an honor?"

Tina turned to see Edward and Erik coming into the private studio she had out back. She smiled, she had no idea why these two were always following her around. She suspected that they had a case of puppy love, but she wasn't going to encourage them.

"oh, this is jack." She said, fingering the yellow silk dress. "he's a professional photographer and his model was ill. So he asked if I'd fill in for her."

"this girl is going to make me a million bucks!" he said.

"his wife designed the clothes," she explained. "this is their first big break."

"And Tina, thankfully is the right size, for these clothes." He said. "now, can we get back to work?"

she nodded and modeled the yellow silk gown. Jack hit the play button and Nat king Cole's voice filled the air with I could have danced all night. "I want the first make of this gown please, when it's published."

"A deal."

"say," Edward said. "wouldn't this look better with a man?"

she kept a false smile on her face. "actually," jack said. "That's a great idea. Why don't you come over and I'll powder your nose." He studied Erik, "I have the perfect dress that will go great. The point of no return."

"no way!" Tina said.

That dress was a crimson red and had a high slit on her leg. To have Erik pressed close against her in that dress, it was too embarrassing to think about.

"but Tina, that picture alone will sell a million copies."

"I don't care about that!" she stated.

"I promise, you're studio and theatre will get half of the money."

Tina frowned as she felt her resistance wavering. "all right."


Erik was seething with jealousy. He watched as Edward, 'waltzed' Tina, held her close, kissed her cheek and held her hands. Now he was waiting for her to come out in that dress that had caused her to blush so.

"here she is."

She wore a red gown that had a deep, hip high slit. A swirly cut waistband with black, yellow and orange stripes. The same material was above the slit and it kept the slit open. Halter like straps helped hold the dress up. he now saw why it was called the point of no return and he was beginning to wonder how he'd gotten into this mess.

Jack turned on the music and he wasn't surprised it was point of no return.

"jack," Tina said. "really?"

"well, this song inspired my wife and it sets the mood. This is strictly business."

"think of me as your dentist." he offered.

"I don't go to the dentist unless my teeth need it. I haven't gone to him for six years."

"well, think of him as the phantom!" jack said. "can we get these shots please?"

Tina nodded, "can we switch to music of the night at least?"

"no!"

Erik pulled her close and she had a sultry gaze was on her face. "interesting face," he said touching her chin lightly. "for one who's never been kissed."

"I'm an actress!" she said giving him a glare.

"sure I'm not having that effect on you?"

"positive?"

"positive."

"we'll see."

he felt her inhale as he stepped behind her and began running his hand up her shoulder. she trembled under his touch, but she wasn't going to give in. Erik slowly surrendered to the music and his moves grew. He felt Tina's discomfort grow and he felt her visibly jump when he kissed her neck. Still, she kept her act up.

"that's great!" jack said. "can you dip her backwards?"

"no!"

"sure." He said gripping her neck and dipping her backwards. His hand gripped her left leg and brought it up to his waist.

"for heaven's sake!" she said, reaching for his neck. "would you let go of my leg please?"

"Christine, can you get in the mood please?" jack demanded. "this is a marvelous photo!"

"the name is Tina!"

"right now you're playing Christine! at least try to look as if you're in love with the phantom!" he frowned. "Trust me, this is a great picture."

"I may demand to be paid for this...this..humiliation!"

"It'll be worth it! now back to acting. Get you get a seductive, love look please before he drops you?"

"I better get an Oscar for this!" she muttered.

she obeyed he leaned closer as if he was going to kiss her. she brought her lips into her mouth and he smiled, "I'm not going to kiss you. word of honor."

She frowned, "have you?"

He didn't answer and waited for jack to snap the picture. "got it!" he actually danced a jig right there! "this picture is marvelous! You won't believe it Tina!"

Tina didn't answer. She simply grabbed the next dress off the rack and moved to change into it.

"I think," Edward said. "you went too far."

"possibly." He said. "but we'll see."


Tina straightened her clothes and walked out the door briskly. Edward and Erik followed her. she kept her gaze straight ahead and walked quickly. At that moment, atticus, her other cat, cut in front of her path and she stumbled in her heels. She fell on the grass, but she had enough time to do a shoulder roll and got up instantly.

"are you alright?" Erik asked turning her around gently and pressing her shoulder. "does this hurt?"

she shrugged her shoulder, "it stings." She glared at atticus. "thank to you. you fat tub of lard!"

"me!" erik said.

"no! him!" she said reaching for atticus."

"what's this little guys name?" Edward asked picking him up.

"atticus finch."

Erik laughed, "him?"

"yes, him. he got the name in a moment of weakness. Which is pathetic, he's a big baby. A devout coward. Good thing I didn't name him Rocky." She reached for him. "Well, any way, he's not supposed to be outside. He has allergies and I guess one of the guys let him out."

"I'll take him back inside." Edward said. "He's a cute fella."

"could you put him upstairs in my room with the door shut?" she asked, needing to talk to Erik alone and settle this privately. "I have to do something first. I'll be right up."

"sure thing." Edward said. "come on atticus."

"careful, any little noise scares atta-cootie."

"atta-cootie?" he said. "how'd he get that name?"

"he had ear mites for the longest time."

"oh." Erik said.

She peered behind him and waited for Edward to vanish. She cleared her throat and held his gaze as heat filled her cheeks. "listen, Erik, I fear I may have let things go out of control last night."

"you did?" he laughed. "you were calm, collected, polite and quite charming."

"listen," she said. "that kiss was a gesture of kindness, nothing more, nothing less. You're here looking for a relationship with my sister. Not me."

Erik's eyes flashed. "you're observant and bold."

She nodded, "I'm honest. Look, I like you Erik. I like Edward too. But I have principles; I'm not allowing anything, no matter how much I may like you. I'll have nothing to do with any man who's seeing my sister. I have too much respect for her and I won't make myself cheap. You can tell edward that as well!"

She turned her back and Erik gripped her arm and spun her around, "wait a minute."

She shook her head, "I have nothing to say to you."

"what would you say if I wasn't interested in Meg? what if I told you….I was interested in you?"

her heart stopped in her chest. She blinked at him before pulling back. "I'm not ready to answer that Erik. I'm sorry."

"so…you don't feel anything for me?"

she inhaled and searched her heart. She did feel something for Erik. But she wasn't going to hurt her sister, for anything.

"no I don't." she said. Still, she could picture herself walking with Erik and if things didn't go well with Meg and Erik "but….somehow, even if Meg wasn't there, I'd see just exactly how'd I be."

"if you loved me?" he said with a smirk. "but, you don't."

"no I don't!" She pulled free of his grasp completely and ran into the house smacking in to Meg.

"why Tina!" she said. "you're all flushed. Is something wrong?"

she shook her head. "no! I-I have an appointment upstairs and I don't want to miss it."

"Really?" Meg said cynically.

At that moment her phone rang. She pulled it out and smiled at her sister. "see? Excuse me please." She answered it and walked up towards her room. "hello?"

"tell me," she froze. It was Erik. "how about dinner tonight?"

"how'd you get my number?"

"I asked Lucille. Now how about dinner?"

"no!" she said. "you're probably eating out with Meg tonight anyway! Good afternoon!"

she hung up the phone and stomped upstairs to pull Ducky's tail. A few purrs and wet kitty kisses were just what she needed before changing to start class in an hour.


Ok, don't forget to review! I've changed my avatar to Christine's dress. Designed by, yours truly! Also katdancer may remember the same dress from chapter 23 of 'Again to love.'